Along with Bordeaux and Burgundy, Rhône Valley wines are acknowledged to be among the best in the world. Situated in the Rhône River Valley in the south of France, the Rhône is comprised of two distinct regions—the north and south—each with its own viniculture and featuring wines of very different character.
The Northern Rhône (referred to in French as Rhône septentrional) produces powerful, aromatically complex and age worthy red wines, often in very limited numbers, from the dignified Syrah grape. Typically, most red wines in the northern zone have had an alcohol content in the common 12% to 13% range, but warmer-than-normal growing seasons (like in 1997, 1999, and 2003 in particular), have brought significantly richer, more powerful, and higher alcoholic content varieties.
The Southern Rhône (or Rhône méridional) yields more than 90% of the valley’s total production. A multitude of markedly more rustic and often richer blends coming from the high-alcohol Grenache grape can be identified by a more “southern” flavor. The wines offer a rich mouth feel, and more of a roasted and somewhat liqueur-ish fruit personality with spice and wild herb accents.
In the Northern Rhône Valley the apotheosis of Viognier, an exotically scented white wine, is also grown. Viognier is a variety that has been recently planted on several continents by growers hoping to capitalize on a strong worldwide demand. There are other white wines from the Rhône Valley (albeit less exciting than Viognier). The majority of these are blends based on Marsanne and Roussanne in the North, and Grenache Blanc and less interesting native varieties in the South.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 98 points: The 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Vieilles Vignes is a tour de force. Raspberry and apricot-scented fruit, rich chocolate notes and an incredible whirlwind of spice are delivered in this full-bodied wine that shows no...
Wine Spectator, 94 points: This energetic red offers a big ball of kirsch wound tightly with licorice, graphite and raspberry coulis notes. Shows lots of bright spice accents through the finish, which is carried by finely beaded acidity. Offers...
jebdunnuck.com, 100 points: Lastly, and a legendary wine in the making, the 2015 Hermitage La Chapelle is reminiscent of the 1990 with its full-bodied, opulently, sexy, yet concentrated style. Offering sensational notes of blackcurrants, smoked...
Wine Spectator, 97 points: A total stunner, with a long, pure beam of raspberry and red currant coulis streaming through, flanked by light violet, iron and incense notes before picking up lilting rooibos tea and rose petal accents on the...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 95 points: (93-95) In the same qualitative ballpark as the Côte Rozier, yet possessing more elegance, the 2015 Côte Rôtie La Brocadre (95% Syrah and 5% Viognier, mostly destemmed and aged in new barrels) offers lots of raspberry and...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 97 points: (95-97) What will easily be one of the top wines in the vintage, the 2015 Châteauneuf du Pape Les Trois Source is the finest example of this cuvée I’ve tasted. Just massively concentrated and voluptuous, with a huge...
Vinous, 96 points: (94-96) Deep ruby. Spicy and energetic on the highly perfumed nose, displaying intense black raspberry and cherry scents and strong suggestions of candied lavender and smoky minerals. Supple, sweet and focused on the...
Vinous, 93 points: Pale gold. Powerful, mineral-laced orchard fruit and melon aromas are sharpened by notes of ginger and lemon zest. Concentrated pear, Meyer lemon and violet pastille flavors show a suave blend of richness and delicacy...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 93 points: The 2013 Châteauneuf du Pape is a beauty and has a rare level of concentration and depth in the vintage. Blueberry, crushed flowers, pepper, and violet aromas and flavors flow nicely to a medium to full-bodied, structured...
Antonio Galloni's Vinous, 93 points: (90-93 points) Bright purple. Mineral-accented aromas of fresh dark berries and pungent flowers. Spicy and taut on the palate, offering spicy blackberry and violet pastille flavors and a hint of smokiness. Puts on weight...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 100 points: (97-100) Tasting just like the Les Trois Source (they come from the same terroir), yet with just another level of polish and purity to its tannin and fruit, the sensational 2015 Châteauneuf du Pape Reserve offers layers...
jebdunnuck.com, 100 points: The top cuvée from Delas is the 2015 Hermitage Les Bessards, and it's always 100% Syrah from the steep, broken granite soils of the Bessards lieu-dit. Aged 18 months in 30% new barrels, its purple/plum color is followed...
Wine Spectator, 94 points: Expressive plum, boysenberry and blackberry confiture aromas and flavors pour forth, underscored by anise, singed alder and tobacco notes. A light graphite edge through the finish adds cut and grip. Very solid. Best...
Showing 15 of 22 wines
Dear Customer We are having problems processing your request. Please contact our sales office between 9 AM and 5 PM (PST) for further assistance at 1.888.859.4637.
Wonderful commentary on wine, and a great trusted resource.
-Amelia C., February 2018
Please, close this tab